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Peaceblinkfriend Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

"...was/is..."

The latter’s belief that juvenile crime is not being dealt with appropriately was based on the assumption that the criminal justice system was/is not reflecting the community’s opinion. 

If I am commenting on a newspaper report, should I use 'was' or 'is' here? I am a confused because the person still believes the criminla justice system is not reflecing the community's opinion yet the person said this in the past when he was being interviewd.

Thank you

PBF
  

Top answer

You wrote "was based" probably indicating that the belief holds no longer... In this case I don't see a reason to use a present tense to describe the assumption — the basis of the belief. » Then why "was based"?

— Ant_222

  • You wrote "was based" probably indicating that the belief holds no longer...
  • In this case I don't see a reason to use a present tense to describe the assumption — the basis of the belief.
  • » Then why "was based"?
  • The belief has waned but the assumption is still believed in.
  • Does it mean that something else supressed the belief?
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1 Answers
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You wrote "was based" probably indicating that the belief holds no longer... In this case I don't see a reason to use a present tense to describe the assumption — the basis of the belief.

«I am a confused because the person still believes...»

Then why "was based"? The belief has waned but the assumption is still believed in. Does it mean that something else supressed the belief?
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